COVID-19 pandemic: Important information on cooperation

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) to be “a public health emergency of international concern.” The current situation and the as-yet unpredictable trend for Germany as a whole present all of us with major challenges. The welfare of its employees is of utmost importance to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, its institutes and research institutions, as is providing professional care and support, and protecting all of Fraunhofer’s business partners.

Overview of our currently effective regulations

We continuously adapt our hygiene precautions and visit concepts to the current infection situation and the applicable legal regulations and official recommendations.

The current regulations, as of March 18, 2022

  • As far as possible, our employees continue to work primarily from their home offices and can be reached there without restriction by e-mail and telephone.
  • In all rooms of the institute there is an obligation to wear a mouth-nose covering (medical mask, FFP2 mask).
  • Other mandatory protective measures include maintaining a safe distance of 2.0 meters (minimum 1.5 meters), regular ventilation of rooms, cough and sneeze etiquette, and regular and thorough hand washing.
  • Our employees are provided with self-tests for regular testing.
  • We reduce meetings and face-to-face events at Fraunhofer IGB to a necessary minimum. Digital formats are still preferred. Masks are mandatory (at least medical surgical masks).
  • Security access control: As of May 16, 2022, we have suspended 3G access controls at the Fraunhofer campus in Stuttgart and at our institute branches in Leuna and Straubing. We ask external workers and visitors to be tested before their stay at our institute (min. rapid test). Please coordinate your stay at the IGB in advance with your contacts at the institute. At the Stuttgart Campus, guests are received above the reception desk at our gate.
  • Business trips are only undertaken when necessary and preferably with the employee's own company car.  

Information from May 19, 2020

 

Dear Business Partners, Friends and Colleagues

Since federal and state governments have decided to gradually open up public life, many companies have resumed operations within the given options.

We at Fraunhofer IGB have also developed and implemented a hygiene concept based on risk assessments and operational pandemic planning, which allows a gradual return to everyday work (restart). In addition, we use the possibilities of the digital world more than ever to work with you in this way as well.

I would like to inform you about the currently most important points below:

Our employees continue to work primarily from home. Experimental work in the laboratory under the required safety rules is achieved by time-shifted working. This allows us to work on all projects without any major restrictions and ensures that cooperation with our project partners will continue to run smoothly in the future.

In all rooms of the institute (including the parking garage) we wear a mouth-and-nose cover – with the exception of working alone in our own office. With the introduction of the mandatory wearing of mouth-and-nose covers, we have equipped our employees with masks and communicated how to use them. These regulations apply to all our locations: Stuttgart, Leuna and Straubing.

The obligation to wear a mouth-and-nose cover also applies to our visitors. If required, you will receive disposable masks free of charge at the respective entrance areas (gates). Access controls, maintaining a safety distance of 2.0 meters (at least 1.5 meters), coughing and sneezing into your elbow, as well as regular and thorough hand washing remain, of course, further important protective measures. We thank you for your understanding.

Meetings and events requiring attendance at Fraunhofer IGB will be reduced to a necessary minimum. Until further notice, the number of participants is limited to a maximum of five persons. Again, the usual safety distance of 2 meters, but at least 1.5 meters, must be maintained and mouth-and-nose covers must be worn.

Business trips will preferably be made with the own company car if necessary. On-site discussions at your premises are thus again possible if a virtual meeting is not appropriate. Ideally, you should also have implemented similar hygiene rules in your company as we have. We would be pleased to support you in the development and introduction of suitable measures.

We thank you for your support in implementing the above measures to protect both your and our employees and we continue to rely on a trusting cooperation.

We look forward to continuing our cooperation in challenging projects or in the development of pioneering innovations. Our current projects with which we want to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 are listed on our website, together with an overview of infection research at the IGB.

In addition, we have launched a number of other projects that might be of interest to you. You will find these in our annual report and on our website:

Health business area
Sustainable Chemistry business area
Environment business area
Bioeconomy

Stay healthy. Wishing you, your families and employees all the best!

Best regards

Dr. Markus Wolperdinger
Director

Information from March 19, 2020

 

Dear Business Partners, Friends and Colleagues

Due to the current developments we would like to inform you about the measures and regulations taken at Fraunhofer IGB:

We follow all official guidelines and regulations at state and federal level and the individual instructions of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. Our goal is to act responsibly and to protect our business partners and customers as well as our employees and society. This is our top priority. The majority of our employees therefore currently work in the home office.

In spite of all restrictions, we are able to work and maintain operations. We continue to work on our projects and orders. The continuation of experimental or analytical investigations is guaranteed by our employees on site. For efficient internal communication and cooperation with you, we increasingly use digital tools.

The availability of your contact persons at the institute is our top priority. Our staff will continue to be available by e-mail and telephone. We will process your enquiries as quickly as possible − however, we ask for your understanding if delays occur due to exceptional circumstances. Should it be the case that you are unable to reach your individual contact person, you are welcome to contact me in confidence.

In the interests of maximum transparency and the best possible cooperation, we rely on open communication about the dynamically changing situation, which we continually evaluate. We inform you about changes, for example with regard to work ability and availability, on our website on a daily basis.

Please stay healthy! We are wishing you, your families and employees all the best.

Best regards

Dr. Markus Wolperdinger
Director

Further information

18.3.2020

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Coronavirus: the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s response and action it has taken to protect its employees, business partners and participants at Fraunhofer events

Fraunhofer Campus Stuttgart

To protect employees and visitors, it is mandatory to wear a mouth-nose cover on the campus. Access restrictions also apply.